By-elections: Punjab CM thanks people for reposing their trust in PML-N

LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif while expressing gratitude to the people on achieving sweeping victory in the recent by-elections dedicated the victory to the public as they reposed their trust in the politics of public service.

In a statement and later while addressing a special meeting of provincial ministers and secretaries, she said the people validated ideology of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. “This is the victory of development, progress and well-being of the people. We will now work with more dedication and commitment day and night again,” she added.

She expressed special gratitude to elderly voters and a woman who arrived on a wheelchair to cast her vote.

“People voted for a safe and developed Punjab,” she said, congratulating all successful PML-N candidates and noting that Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s hard work had also borne fruit.

Calling the by-elections a referendum, she said the people of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa decisively chose PML-N and voted in its favour. She highlighted that the party won back all the seats it had previously lost, including in Faisalabad, Sargodha, Chak Jhumra, Dera Ghazi Khan, Sahiwal and Haripur.

The Chief Minister denounced political opponents, saying an “artificially created idol” that had been empowered by the state had now “shattered.”

She argued that political narratives must be grounded in truth and performance. “No narrative is stronger than actual delivery. The shelf life of a false narrative eventually ends,” she said.

Referring to the PML-N’s record, she noted that before 2017, the focus had been on development, CPEC, motorways, power projects and economic growth under Nawaz Sharif’s leadership.

“The world was looking toward Pakistan, and the stock market was soaring,” she highlighted.

She also criticized those who boycotted elections, saying only parties with nothing to show to the public resort to such low tactics. “PML-N never boycotted elections, even in the most difficult times. I was the first woman jailed during their tenure, yet we never opted out on contesting elections,” she said.

She accused PTI-backed candidates of contesting elections using photos of “Prisoner No. 804,” calling it hypocrisy. She added that those claiming mass popularity were “nowhere to be seen” in recent by-elections. Recalling 2018 elections, she said Nawaz Sharif’s popularity had forced a delay of results for five weeks and caused collapse of RTS system.

“Today, there is no Faiz and no Imran-aligned judges to support them,” she remarked.

Maryam Nawaz Sharif maintained that even in 2017 by-election, her late mother won by 14000 lead despite alleged pre and post-poll rigging. “Standing against the state is never easy, but we did it and today, people have once again upheld democratic traditions.” She said that political success is achieved through democratic behavior rather than merely contesting elections.

Addressing a public gathering, she claimed that the PML-N had earlier been informed it would secure only two seats in Islamabad and Gilgit-Baltistan, yet massive rallies in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir demonstrated that “public stands with us.”

Referring to the 2021 Daska by-election, she said that entire world witnessed massive rigging attempts.

She alleged that firing incidents took place during polling, but “despite facing pressure, we still won that election.” She added that government machinery at the time was positioned against PML-N, claiming that “PTI workers fled with ballot boxes” during Daska by-poll. She questioned why those who boycotted elections in Punjab did not follow suit in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK). She alleged that KPK’s administrative machinery had been favourable to the opposing party, yet “they still suffered a humiliating defeat,” adding that people in the province had rejected mere rhetoric. “Narratives do not provide development. From day one I already stressed that work is required, not just slogans,” she said.

She criticized KPK government for what she called lack of development and mere reliance on rhetorics. She claimed that corruption was widespread in the province and referenced viral videos, including one showing the KPK chief minister having his shoe lace tied by an elderly man, calling it “humiliating.”

The CM further added that public hospitals across KPK lacked adequate medical facilities, forcing many citizens to seek treatment in Punjab.

“We welcome those who come for treatment from KPK to Punjab,” she added. She credited the recent by-election performance to former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, as well as voters in Punjab and KPK, noting that “Nawaz Sharif constantly guides both me and Shehbaz Sharif on governmental matters.”

She maintained that the PML-N’s governance over the past one and a half years had been validated by public support. “Popular leaders never boycott elections,” she underscored.

She added, “I ask all parties to focus on development work instead of popular narratives. Inflation control and cheap bread are being made available in Punjab.”

She highlighted that under “Suthra Punjab” programme, garbage is being collected from every house and from the streets and alleys across Punjab. 20,000 kilometers of roads are being constructed and repaired across the province. Free medicines worth Rs 100 billion is being provided in hospitals. The previous government had stopped provision of free medicines in government hospitals. “Sehat Card” project of Nawaz Sharif had been ignored as a corruption case. She emphasized that free medicines are being delivered at the doorsteps of cardiac, hepatitis, TB and insulin patients. She added that ration is being given by knocking at people’s doors during Ramadan. She maintained that in a short period of 10 months, 115,000 houses are being built under “Apni Chhat, Apni Ghar” programme, adding that for the first time, there is no shortage of fertilizers in Punjab. Green buses are benefiting people in every city by paying just Rs 20 fare.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025